5 reasons Manchester City will defeat Real Madrid

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 12: Man City fans show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on April 12, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 12: Man City fans show their support prior to the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium on April 12, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid’s defender Sergio Ramos (L), Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Pepe (2nd L), Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) and Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro celebrate after winning the Spanish league ‘Clasico’ football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 2, 2016. / AFP / PAU BARRENA (Photo credit should read PAU BARRENA/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s defender Sergio Ramos (L), Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Pepe (2nd L), Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) and Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro celebrate after winning the Spanish league ‘Clasico’ football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 2, 2016. / AFP / PAU BARRENA (Photo credit should read PAU BARRENA/AFP/Getty Images) /

4. Real Madrid’s title challenge

As it stands, Real Madrid are just a single point behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga title race. They also have a superior goal difference to their two rivals – although Barcelona’s huge 6-0 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday cut that deficit. With just three games remaining, Zidane’s men simply cannot afford a slip-up. Saturday’s game at local rivals Rayo Vallecano was therefore a must-win, and Zidane was not blessed with the luxury of being able to rest his stars.

Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric were the only two that were given a reprieve, but the latter was forced to play the final half hour as Madrid searched for a winner with the scores at 2-2. It was a far tougher game than Zidane or his players would have liked, and the likes of Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale were forced to play the full ninety minutes.

Of course, City are only five points clear of 5th place having played a game more than Manchester United, and retaining a place in the Champions League is imperative. However, having never won the competition or even reached these stages before, they must and surely will prioritise the Champions League. On Saturday, they faced a Stoke City team in dreadful form, and were afforded the luxury of being able to rest Kompany, De Bruyne and Sterling. Silva and Aguero were also substituted in order to rest them for Tuesday. At this stage of the season, competing on several fronts can sometimes be a poisoned chalice.

Next: City's weapon vs. Real's weakness